Public university leaders and managers have been challenged to secure the assets of the institutions as audits have revealed that land grabs, poor leadership and audit non-compliance were hindering their progress.
At a sitting to review the Auditor-General’s report on July 30, the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education chair Wanami Wamboka (Bumula MP) told the managers that they were the “custodians of the people’s trust” and warned them: “We will not allow negligence to go unchecked. We must protect public institutions from mismanagement.”
During the review, the committee poked holes in the Auditor’s report, saying it was lacking in depth and clear facts needed for a thorough assessment before taking action.
“This report lacks the depth we need for action,” Wamboka said, as the committee ordered a fresh, physical audit of Baringo Technical University. The management of the university was directed to cooperate with auditors when they return for verification.
Baringo was represented by its Principal Isaac Bwamboka. The Auditor’s report indicated that a section of the university’s land had been encroached. “How did you allow this to happen under your watch?” Wamboka asked.
Kakai Bisau pressed the principal to reveal the identities of the land grabbers and whether the institution had taken any legal action.
Kenya’s Auditor-General is Nancy Gathungu. She took over from Edward Ouko, who became the first Auditor-General under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
It was a bad day for Egerton University Vice Chancellor Isaac Ogumbo who was turned away for failing to honour a fine imposed by a parliamentary team.
The MPs noted that Prof Ogumbo had not paid a Sh500,000 fine issued during a previous session. “You were fined and haven’t paid; we cannot proceed like that,” said Wamboka before suspending the session.
The MPs team gave the vice-chancellor seven days to settle the penalty. “You have until next Wednesday to pay. If not, both you and your team will be summoned,” Wamboka warned.
The committee also questioned Egerton’s decision to use external auditors despite having an internal audit committee in place. “Why outsource when you already have a committee in place?” asked Moses Kirima.
